We have all waited a long time for this. After a one-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic the NCAA Tournament returns and will be sure to bring the madness. DraftKings has decided to go with all of Friday’s opening games as one slate, while FanDuel is splitting it up with an early and late slate. At the time of the write up FD had yet to release their afternoon slate, so this will cover the DK 16-game slate and the FD main slate (early games). Let’s get right to it.

The Slate

Games by Time w/ O/U

  • 10 Virginia Tech vs 7 Florida- 12:15pm CBS- 135.5 *FD EARLY*

  • 14 Colgate vs 3 Arkansas- 12:45pm TruTV- 162.5 *FD EARLY*

  • 16 Drexel vs 1 Illinois- 1:15pm TBS- 144 *FD EARLY*

  • 11 Utah State vs 6 Texas Tech- 1:45 TNT- 131 *FD EARLY*

  • 15 Oral Roberts vs 2 Ohio St- 3:00pm CBS- 155.5 *FD EARLY*

  • 16 Hartford vs 1 Baylor- 3:30pm TruTV- 140.5 *FD EARLY*

  • 9 Georgia Tech vs 8 Loyola (IL)- 4:00pm TBS- 126 *FD EARLY*

  • 12 Oregon St vs 5 Tennessee- 4:30pm TNT- 131.5 *FD EARLY*

  • 13 Liberty vs 4 Oklahoma St- 6:25pm TBS- 142 

  • 9 Wisconsin vs 8 North Carolina- 7:10pm CBS- 139.5 

  • 15 Cleveland St vs 2 Houston- 7:15pm TruTV- 135 

  • 13 North Texas vs 4 Purdue- 7:25pm TNT- 126.5 

  • 10 Rutgers vs 7 Clemson- 9:20pm TBS- 125.5 

  • 11 Syracuse vs 6 San Diego St- 9:40pm CBS- 139.5

  • 14 Morehead St vs 3 West Virginia- 9:50pm- 137.5

  • 12 Winthrop vs 5 Villanova- 9:57pm TNT- 143.5 

Guards:

Top Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Ayo DosunmuILDREX930038.65880035.55
Could have easily gone with Cade Cunningham but with the amount of quality guards on a massive slate, we will be happy to save a little money with Ayo. Dosunmu is destined to be one of the stars of the tournament, averaging 20.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 5.3 apg. Ayo should have no problem getting his in the opening game, facing a Drexel team that ranks 247th in defensive efficiency per KenPom. If you are concerned about playingtime if Illini were to run away with this one, consider his backcourtmates Trent Frazier ($5500 DK / $5100 FD) or Andre Curbello ($6100 DK / $5300 FD) as paydown options.
Moses MoodyARKCOLG840030.96740028.95
In a game that is expected to be the highest scoring game of Friday's opening action, consider bucket getter Moses Moody for your lineup. Moody has scored exactly 28 points in 3 of his last 4 games. Moody also has a knack for getting to the free throw line, attempting double-digit free throws in 3 of his last 6 games. Keep in mind though Colgate ranks first in the nation in opponent 3pt% allowing only 26.1% of threes attempted, granted that was mainly in Patriot League play.
Davion MitchellBAYHART810029.93670027.27
Davion Mitchell and teammate Jared Butler are very similar players, so figure we'd save some dough and go with Mitchell. Davion is averaging 14.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 5.4 apg for the 1 seed Baylor Bears. Mitchell is also a very efficient player shooting 51.5% from the floor and 46.2% from three. Something to consider with Mitchell is he can sometimes be loose with the ball, as he's had 2 games with 6 and 7 turnovers. If you want to go real cheap, look at Adam Flager ($3900 DK / $4200 FD) as a dart throw, he gets solid playing time and has scored 15+ four times over the last 15 games.
Max AdmasORUOSU760025.80800035.89
We aren't going to leave the nation's leading scorer out of the playbook. Max Admas leads the nation with 24.2 and another intriguing stat is he is 4th in minutes percentage, playing 95.1% game time per KenPom. While the Golden Eagles are a big underdog in this one, Admas actually has a really good matchup. Ohio St ranks 79th in KenPom's defensive efficency. With Admas probably looking at 40 minutes in this one, even if ORU gets blown out by the Buckeyes I still really like Admas as a play.
        
Value Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
 WISCUNC670025.90  
D'mitrik Trice tends to go underappreciated in the slates. His numbers aren't out of this world but $6700 for DK seems like great value. UNC doesn't have great guard play and they are giving up 34.5% from three this year. Trice is also a veteran who has played in many NCAA Tournaments, while UNC's guards are young. Think Trice can have a very nice game in this late tip.
Taz ShermanWVUMOR630019.90  
Taz Sherman has regained his spot in the starting 5, replacing Sean McNeil and has made Coach Huggins look good in the process. Sherman has scored 20 and 19 points respectively in the two games back into the starting lineup, playing 30 minutes in each game. He could have great value on this slate.
Jack FergusonCOLGARK460022.42520020.86
Jack Ferguson can be a steal, considering the track meet that is expected between Colgate and Arkansas. Ferguson is a senior guard for the Raiders averaging 12.6 ppg, 4.5 pg and 1 apg. He also is shooting 50.7% from three this year. In the tournament there is always a surprise guy that breaks out in a game and Ferguson could be your guy,

Other Guards to Consider

  • Tre Mann- Florida- $8500 DK / $7900 FD

  • Keon Johnson- Tennessee- $7400 DK / $5500 FD

  • Jordan Burns- Colgate- $7300 DK / $6700 FD

  • Ron Harper Jr.- Rutgers- $7200 DK 

  • Avery Anderson III- Oklahoma St- $6400 DK 

  • Marcus Sasser- Houston- $6200 DK 

  • Andre Curbelo- Illinois- $6100 DK / $5300 FD

  • Tyrece Radford- Virginia Tech- $6000 DK / $6200 FD

  • Trent Frazier- Illinois - $5500 DK / $5100 FD

  • Terrance Shannon Jr- Texas Tech- $5300 DK / $5100 FD

  • Skyelar Potter- Morehead St- $4900 DK 

  • Sean McNeil- West Virginia- $4500 DK 

Forwards:

 

Top Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Neemias QuetaUTSTTTU950039.88860037.76
Neemias Queta hasn't been in many playbooks this year with Utah St rarely on the slate but he is accurately priced as one of the top forwards on the slate. The 7-footer from Portugal is averaging 15.1 ppg, 10 rpg and 2.5 for the Aggies. He also has a great matchup against an undersized Texas Tech team. No one on Texas Tech that sees significant minutes is taller than 6-7, Queta should be able to dominate. Queta also ranks 3rd in the nation with 3.21 blocks per game. Consider Justin Bean ($6200 DK / $6600 FD) as a paydown option.
Cameron KrutwigLY-ILGT870031.68760030.61
Hadn't planned on putting Krutwig in the lineup but with news that Georgia Tech's Moses Wright will be out due to COVID, Krutwig now may be a must play. Krutwig is averaging 15 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 3 apg on the season. Georgia Tech does not have a ton of depth in the frontcourt and with Krutwig's primary defender out think he could be in store for a monster game. Look for Krutwig to lead Loyola-Chicago continuing their magic in March.
Trevion WilliamsPURUNT860031.97  
Trevion Williams actually presents pretty good value despite the $8600 DK pricetag due to the size of the slate. Williams ranks second in the nation in KenPoms usage rate, being invovled on 35.4% of their posessions. North Texas is another team that doesn't have a ton of size and look for Matt Painter to get his big man plenty of paint touches. Williams figures to be a great play especially in GPP contests. For a paydown option consider teammate Zach Edey ($5000 DK).
E.J. LiddellOSUORU830029.80820028.12
E.J. Liddell has slowed down a bit towards the end of the season but now that he doesn't have to go against some of the nation's best bigs, think he can have a bounce back performance in this one. Liddell is an undersized big at 6-7 but ORU'd tallest big is only 6-8. Liddell averaged 15.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 1.7 apg on the year for the Buckeyes, against lower competition like ORU, he shoudl be in for a big night.
Quincy GuerrierSYRSDSU740030.97  
Syracuse's zone defense is always tough to prepare for in the tournament and San Diego St coach Brian Dutcher said his team has probably only faced zone a few times this year. The man in the middle of that zone is Quincy Guerrier. Guerrier is averaging 14.4 ppg and 8.8 rpg, plus has recorded 9 double-doubles this season. Look for Guerrier to have a great chance for a double-double in this one.
 
Value Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jermaine SamuelsVUWIN700025.20  
With Collin Gillespie done for the season with a torn MCL Jermaine Samuels has stepped up to the plate to shoulder the scoring load. Samuels has gone for 20+ in each of the two games since Gillespie's depature and he is always good on the glass, averaging 6.3 rpg. Winthrop seems to be a trendy upset pick over a shorthanded Villanova team but expect Samuels to have a big game to prevent that from happening. Think he has good value in a big slate.
James ButlerDREXILL600029.1640027.28
James Butler averages near a double-double per game for the Drexel Dragons, with 12.9 ppg and 9.2 rpg. He is certainly going to have his work cut out for him against Kofi Cockburn but I still think he has good value with his pricetag. Even if the Dragons get blown out against the 1 seed Illini, still think Butler will be able to get his in the stat book. Look at him as a value play in cash games.
Fabian White Jr.UHCLE520014.1  
It was an encouraging sign to see Fabian White Jr log 20 minutes in the AAC Championship game, even if it was in a blow out win. White returned to the Cougars 2/18 after tearing his ACL last season. White had 8 points and 6 rebounds in the title game. His playing time has been a bit sporadic since his return but in a game vs Cleveland St that shouldn't be to close, White could see significant playing time again. Their frontcourt is a bit of an Achilles heel for the Houston Cougars and look for them to try and re-establish White in the rotation for this run.
Zachary SimmonsUNTPUR480022.35  
Zachary Simmons has been the epitome of consistency for the North Texas Mean Green. Simmons has posted 20+ fantasy points in 6 of his last 7 games and the game that he didnt he still had 19.8 fantasy points in DK. Simmons will have his hands full vs Trevion Williams but for a guy that consistently gets 20 fantasy points at this pricetag he has excellent value.


Other Forwards to Consider

  • Keve Aluma- Virginia Tech- $8500 DK / $8100 FD

  • Armando Bacot- North Carolina- $8200 DK 

  • Derek Culver- West Virginia- $8000 DK 

  • Justin Smith- Arkansas- $7700 DK / $6500 FD

  • Matt Mitchell- San Diego St- $7100 DK 

  • Johni Broome- Morehead St- $6900 DK

  • Colin Castleton- Florida- $6700 DK / $5800 FD

  • Jordan Usher- $6600 DK / $5500 FD

  • Justin Bean- Utah St- $6200 DK / $6600 FD

  • Zach Edey- Purdue- $5000 DK 

  • D’Moi Hodge- Cleveland St- $5000 DK 

  • Hunter Marks- Hartford- $4700 DK / $5000 FD

Example Lineups

 

DK CashFD Cash
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalaryPos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GMax AbmasORROSU37.95$7,600GDavion MitchellBAYHART27.27$6,700
????PivotJordan BurnsCOLGARK33.67$7,300????Pivot     
GMoses MoodyARKCOLG30.96$8,400GAndre CurbeloILDREX19.47$5,300
????PivotKeon JohnsonTENNORST21.16$7,400????PivotTrent FrazierILDREX19.28$5,100
GSkyelar PotterMORWVU22.22$4,900GKeon JohnsonTENNORST19.43$5,500
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
FJustin BeanUTSTTTU27.32$6,200GJordan UsherGTLOYC23.07$5,500
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
FD'Moi HodgeCLEUH7.50$5,000FCameron KrutwigLOYCGT30.61$7,600
????Pivot     ????PivotE.J. LiddellOSUORAL28.12$8,200
FFabian White Jr.UHCLE14.06$5,200FJames ButlerDREXIL27.28$6,400
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
UtilTrent FrazierILDREXE21.13$5,500FHunter MarksHARTBAY19.22$5,000
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
UtilRon Harper Jr.RUCLEM28.26$7,200UtilMax AbmasORALOSU35.89$8,000
????PivotTre MannUFVT30.99$8,500????PivotMoses MoodyARKCOLG28.95$7,400
    Total$50,000    Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000   Pivot Total$49,800
            
DK GPPFD GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalaryPos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GTrent FrazierILDREXE21.13$5,500GJared ButlerBAYHART30.02$7,700
????Pivot     ????PivotMax AbmasORALOSU35.89$8,000
GTerrence Shannon Jr.TTUUTST22.38$5,300GTyrece RadfordVTUF23.24$6,200
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
GTaz ShermanWVUMOR19.91$6,300GTerrence Shannon Jr.TTUUTST20.86$5,100
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
FD'Moi HodgeCLEUH22.14$5,000GJack FergusonCOLGARK20.86$5,200
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
FNeemias QuetaUTSTTTU39.88$9,500FNeemias QuetaUTSTTTU37.76$8,600
????PivotTrevion WilliamsPURUNT32.00$8,600????PivotJustin BeanUTSTTTU24.96$6,600
FZachary SimmonsUNTPUR22.35$4,800FColin CastletonUFVT24.31$5,800
????Pivot     ????Pivot     
UtilKevin ObanorORROSU34.65$6,500FHunter MarksHARTBAY19.22$5,000
????Pivot     ????PivotJustin SmithARKCOLG25.25$6,500
UtilJermaine SamuelsVUWIN25.19$7,000UtilJames ButlerDREXIL27.28$6,400
????PivotDerek CulverWVUMOR31.11$8,000????Pivot     
    Total$49,900    Total$50,000
   Pivot Total$50,000   Pivot Total$49,800